Show 460, February 5, 2022: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris

“Located a block south of Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Cahuenga Blvd. and De Longpre Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood enclave, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is the first Oxford Capital Hotel to launch on the West Coast.  Exuding the energy of Hollywood, this art-centric hotel paired with its immersive interior design set the stage for an ideal city setting for leisure and dining. The ground floor features a SoCal-centric restaurant and bar, ALK(About Last Knife), offering an elevated menu featuring a wide selection of plant-based options, as well as premium fish and meat dishes utilizing California’s bright and fresh seasonal produce under the direction of Chef Steven Blackburn. Perched on top of the hotel, I|O Rooftop features the largest public rooftop venue in Hollywood, spanning over 12,000 square feet. It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering two bars, lite bites and a glittering pool for the quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience.” Joining us to highlight the dining options at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood are Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson.

“Single mother Maggie McCreath couldn’t decide which was worse: the fact that her only son (not yet twenty-one) was off to war in Iraq for the second time (late 2006) or the fact that they had only five days to prepare. Even more frightening, she knew that he would be part of the Surge and, as a paratrooper in the 82nd Division of the Army, the tip of the Spear. What she did not know—what she couldn’t even bear to consider—was how this deployment would end, both for her son and for his brothers in arms, whom she had come to know and love as her own. So she turned to the one pastime that had always brought her solace: baking.” Maggie’s heartfelt experience is chronicled in 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment. It’s a recipe book for a variety of incredible cookies as well as an engaging memoir.

The newly opened Bakery By the Yard in El Segundo is an elevated neighborhood bakery imagined by James Beard Award Winning Chef, cookbook author and Food TV personality (ABC’s “Great American Baking Show”) Sherry Yard. “Chef Sherry brings together farmers market ingredients, along with her award-winning recipes, to inspire the palates of all who visit. Whether it’s large-scale events, custom catering, or VIP cooking classes with Sherry + Friends, Bakery By the Yard offers something for everyone.” Look for Sherry in late March on Food Network’s upcoming “The Julia Show” (a new competition series) hosted by Chef Antonia Lafaso.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. The “Big Game” is at SoFi on Sunday, February 13th. Chef Andrew has some thoughts about “Big Game” snacks beyond the usual chips and guacamole.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Show 460, February 5, 2022: Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Part One

Steven Blackburn of About Last Knife

“Located a block south of Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Cahuenga Blvd. and De Longpre Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood enclave, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is the first Oxford Capital Hotel to launch on the West Coast. Exuding the energy of Hollywood, this art-centric hotel paired with its immersive interior design set the stage for an ideal city setting for leisure and dining.”

“The ground floor features a SoCal-centric restaurant and bar, ALK(About Last Knife), offering an elevated menu featuring a wide selection of plant-based options, as well as premium fish and meat dishes utilizing  California’s bright and fresh seasonal produce under the direction of Chef Steven Blackburn. ALK serves Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch.”

Matthew Nathanson of the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood

“Perched on top of the hotel,I|O Rooftop features the largest public rooftop venue in Hollywood, spanning over 12,000 square feet. It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering two bars and a glittering pool for the quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience. Guests and locals alike can mingle while enjoying light bites and specialty cocktails, with postcard views of Hollywood, Century City, and Downtown LA skylines, as well as the iconic Hollywood Sign. An on-site Sushi Chef is there preparing hand rolls, nigiri and sashimi Tuesdays through Saturday from 4 to 10:00 p.m.”

Joining us to highlight the dining options at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood are Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson.

Show 460, February 5, 2022: Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Part Two

Matthew Nathanson of the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood

“Located a block south of Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Cahuenga Blvd. and De Longpre Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood enclave, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is the first Oxford Capital Hotel to launch on the West Coast. Exuding the energy of Hollywood, this art-centric hotel paired with its immersive interior design set the stage for an ideal city setting for leisure and dining.”

“The ground floor features a SoCal-centric restaurant and bar, ALK (About Last Knife), offering an elevated menu featuring a wide selection of plant-based options, as well as premium fish and meat dishes utilizing  California’s bright and fresh seasonal produce under the direction of Chef Steven Blackburn. ALK serves Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch.”

“Perched on top of the hotel,I|O Rooftop features the largest public rooftop venue in Hollywood, spanning over 12,000 square feet. It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering two bars and a glittering pool for the quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience. Guests and locals alike can mingle while enjoying light bites and specialty cocktails, with postcard views of Hollywood, Century City, and Downtown LA skylines, as well as the iconic Hollywood Sign. An on-site Sushi Chef is there preparing hand rolls, nigiri and sashimi Tuesdays through Saturday from 4 to 10:00 p.m.”

Continuing with us to further highlight the dining options at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood are Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson.

February 5, ALK About Last Knife at the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, 52 Weeks of Cookies, Sherry Yard by the Yard

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Part One
Segment Three: Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Part Two
Segment Four: Maggie McCreath, Author & Home Baker – 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment Part One
Segment Five: Maggie McCreath, Author & Home Baker – 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment Part Two
Segment Six: Chef Sherry Yard of Bakery By the Yard, El Segundo Part One
Segment Seven: Chef Sherry Yard of Bakery By the Yard, El Segundo Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel of Slapfish with “Ask the Chef”

We’re previewing the show with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris.

“Located a block south of Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Cahuenga Blvd. and De Longpre Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood enclave, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is the first Oxford Capital Hotel to launch on the West Coast. Exuding the energy of Hollywood, this art-centric hotel paired with its immersive interior design set the stage for an ideal city setting for leisure and dining. The ground floor features a SoCal-centric restaurant and bar, ALK (About Last Knife), offering an elevated menu featuring a wide selection of plant-based options, as well as premium fish and meat dishes utilizing California’s bright and fresh seasonal produce under the direction of Chef Steven Blackburn. Perched on top of the hotel, I|O Rooftop features thelargest public rooftop venue in Hollywood, spanning over 12,000 square feet. It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering two bars, lite bites and a glittering pool for the quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience.” Joining us to highlight the dining options at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood are Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson.

“Single mother Maggie McCreath couldn’t decide which was worse: the fact that her only son (not yet twenty-one) was off to war in Iraq for the second time or the fact that they had only five days to prepare. Even more frightening, she knew that he would be part of the Surge and, as a paratrooper in the 82nd Division of the Army, the tip of the Spear. What she did not know — what she couldn’t even bear to consider — was how this deployment would end, both for her son and for his brothers in arms, whom she had come to know and love as her own. So she turned to the one pastime that had always brought her solace: baking.” Maggie’s heartfelt experience is chronicled in 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment. It’s a recipe book for incredible cookies as well as an engaging memoir.

The newly opened Bakery By the Yard in El Segundo is an elevated neighborhood bakery imagined by James Beard Award Winning Chef, cookbook author and Food TV personality (ABC’s “Great American Baking Show”) Sherry Yard. “Chef Sherry brings together farmers market ingredients, along with her award-winning recipes, to inspire the palates of all who visit. Whether it’s large scale events, custom catering, or cooking classes with Sherry + Friends, Bakery By the Yard offers something for everyone.” About to launch nearby is Chef Sherry’s Pantry By the Yard. It’s a take away restaurant and her neighborhood kitchen. Pantry’s food is farmers market fresh and guaranteed delicious!

Chef Sherry Yard joins us with rolling pin securely in hand.

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries. The “Big Game” is at SoFi on Sunday, February 13th. Chef Andrew has some thoughts about “Big Game” snacks beyond the usual chips and guacamole. Also some practical advice on Valentine’s Day dining.

All of this and heaping helpings of extra deliciousness on this week’s not-to-miss show!

Steven Blackburn of About Last Knife

“Located a block south of Sunset Boulevard at the corner of Cahuenga Blvd. and De Longpre Ave. in the heart of Los Angeles’ iconic Hollywood enclave, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood is the first Oxford Capital Hotel to launch on the West Coast. Exuding the energy of Hollywood, this art-centric hotel paired with its immersive interior design set the stage for an ideal city setting for leisure and dining.”

“The ground floor features a SoCal-centric restaurant and bar, ALK(About Last Knife), offering an elevated menu featuring a wide selection of plant-based options, as well as premium fish and meat dishes utilizing  California’s bright and fresh seasonal produce under the direction of Chef Steven Blackburn. ALK serves Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and Weekend Brunch.”

Matthew Nathanson of the Godfrey Hotel Hollywood

“Perched on top of the hotel,I|O Rooftop features the largest public rooftop venue in Hollywood, spanning over 12,000 square feet. It seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, offering two bars and a glittering pool for the quintessential sun-soaked Southern California experience. Guests and locals alike can mingle while enjoying light bites and specialty cocktails, with postcard views of Hollywood, Century City, and Downtown LA skylines, as well as the iconic Hollywood Sign. An on-site Sushi Chef is there preparing hand rolls, nigiri and sashimi Tuesdays through Saturday from 4 to 10:00 p.m.”

Joining us to highlight the dining options at The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood are Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson.

Cookbook Author Maggie-McCreath and her Dog Biscuit

“Single mother Maggie McCreath couldn’t decide which was worse: the fact that her only son (not yet twenty-one) was off to war in Iraq for the second time or the fact that they had only five days to prepare. Even more frightening, she knew that he would be part of the Surge and, as a paratrooper in the 82nd Division of the Army, the tip of the Spear. What she did not know—what she couldn’t even bear to consider—was how this deployment would end, both for her son and for his brothers in arms, whom she had come to know and love as her own. So she turned to the one pastime that had always brought her solace: baking.”

“Filled with delicious, original cookie recipes (all shipable), 52 Weeks of Cookies recounts a mom’s unique methods of coping during her son’s deployment. With plenty of sugar cookies but no sugarcoating, 52 Weeks of Cookies is an honest, uplifting story of family love during a crisis, with all the fear, grief, laughter, gratitude, and joy that come with it.”

“Maggie McCreath the author of 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment is a single mom with two grown kids. She received a degree in Computer Science from George Mason University, and has worked in the field for over thirty years. Her life has always revolved around her family. Her kids began as her pride and joy, and have grown into her best friends and confidants.”

“Her daughter Haley is the oldest. She has a degree in Journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University; however, after working for a national news organization in Washington, DC, for four years, she determined that way of life was not for her. She currently works for a pub managing the bar and producing local radio commercials in mid-western Virginia.”

“Her son, Buddy, enlisted in the Army during his senior year of High School and became Airborne directly after boot camp. He has served with the Airborne Corps up until January 2015 when he began Warrant Officer Candidate School. After successfully completing the school work, he is now flying Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopters.”

“Though Maggie’s interest in the military strengthened with her son’s enlistment, her fondness for the military and those who serve began years earlier. Her father served during World War II, and she has spent a large portion of her adult life in direct support of the military. This includes the fifteen years she worked for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon, with an additional five years working for the Pentagon at an off-site facility. On September 11, 2001, though Maggie was not at the Pentagon, she was at an off-site location working in direct support of its mission. The events of 9/11 not only catapulted her to the position she holds now, but have undoubtedly shaped her family’s lives as well.”

Chef Sherry Yard and her Silken Pumpkin Pie with 3 layers

The newly opened Bakery By the Yard in El Segundo is an elevated neighborhood bakery imagined by James Beard Award Winning Chef, cookbook author and Food TV personality (ABC’s “Great American Baking Show”) Sherry Yard. “Chef Sherry brings together farmers market ingredients, along with her award -winning recipes, to inspire the palates of all who visit. Whether it’s large scale events, custom catering, or cooking classes with Sherry + Friends, Bakery By the Yard offers something for everyone.”

About to launch nearby is Chef Sherry’s Pantry By the Yard. “It’s a take away restaurant and her neighborhood kitchen. Pantry’s food is farmers market fresh and guaranteed delicious!”

“Sherry will be cooking up hot sandwiches, soups, salads, warm chocolate chips cookies, other fine foods plus, of course, more incredible sweets. Coffee and morning pastries will be served and in the evening daily entree specials!”

Sherry Yard is our guest to tempt us with the best of both Bakery By the Yard and Pantry By the Yard.

Chef Andrew Gruel savoring a New Jersey style Pizza

Our own Chef Andrew Gruel of the Slapfish Restaurant Group provides another timely and informative “Ask the Chef” segment where Chef Andrew responds to listeners thoughtful inquiries.

The “Big Game” is at SoFi in Inglewood on Sunday, February 13th. Chef Andrew has some thoughts about “Big Game” snacks beyond the usual chips and guacamole. Also some practical advice on Valentine’s Day dining.

Podcasts

Segment One: Show Preview with Executive Producer & Co-Host Andy Harris
Segment Two: Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Part One
Segment Three: Chef Steven Blackburn and Director of Restaurants Matthew Nathanson, Godfrey Hotel Hollywood Part Two
Segment Four: Maggie McCreath, Author & Home Baker – 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment Part One
Segment Five: Maggie McCreath, Author & Home Baker – 52 Weeks of Cookies – How One Mom Refused To Be Beaten By Her Son’s Deployment Part Two
Segment Six: Chef Sherry Yard of Bakery By the Yard, El Segundo Part One
Segment Seven: Chef Sherry Yard of Bakery By the Yard, El Segundo Part Two
Segment Eight: Chef & Co-Host Andrew Gruel of Slapfish with “Ask the Chef”